Seasonal Allergies Primer

Whether you’re basking in the summer sun or skiing down the slopes in winter, you have to be careful to avoid getting ill.

Every season has its perks and drawbacks. One of the unfortunate things that people have to worry about throughout the year is getting sick. Allergies impact humans regardless of the season.

Hence the problem of “seasonal allergies”...

Much like other allergies, seasonal allergies develop when the body’s immune system overreacts to something in the environment. This mostly happens in summer, spring, and fall when certain plants pollinate.

The easiest way to identify if you have seasonal allergies is by monitoring when you sneeze and cough. If it happens during a specific time every year, then you might have seasonal allergies.

Let’s get into the specifics of seasonal allergies and what you can do to beat them.

Spring

In most areas in the U.S., February is the beginning of spring allergies. These allergies last until early summer.

Spring might be exactly what people need after a brutal winter, but it’s also a nightmare for people who suffer from allergies during this period. One of the biggest triggers of spring allergy is pollen.

When plants release pollen in Spring, many people who have hay fever begin to sniffle and sneeze. What are the biggest culprits that release pollen?

Grasses, weeds, and trees release grains into the air to fertilize other plants. The problem happens when these grains enter the nose of somebody who’s allergic. That’s when the body’s defenses work overtime.

Here are some of the triggers:

TREES

Alder

Ash

Aspen

Cotton

Cyprus

Elm

GRASSES AND WEEDS

Bermuda

Fescue

Johnson

June

Redtop

Saltgrass

What happens is that the body perceives the pollen to be dangerous and releases antibodies that attack the allergens. The result of that is the release of a chemical called histamines into the blood.

What do histamines trigger?

Itchy eyes, a runny nose, sneezing, coughing, and dark circles under the eyes are the most common symptoms if you have allergies.

The bad news about pollen is that it can travel for miles. Even if you don’t have the trees, grasses, or weeds that release grains in your backyard, it doesn’t mean that you can’t be affected.

Reducing Spring Allergies

People who know that they suffer from spring allergies should take their medications before the symptoms start. You can also fit high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) purifiers throughout your house.

Use a damp towel to remove the pollen from your pets’ coats if they go outside. This should be done daily. The other strategy to prevent pollen from entering your home is by keeping doors and windows closed. You can also change your bedding and vacuum upholstered furniture and curtains frequently.

If you can’t avoid the allergies, how do you treat it?

In most cases, medications help to alleviate the symptoms or to mitigate the body’s response to airborne allergens. Some of the options are oral antihistamines, nasal decongestants, nasal steroid sprays, or eye drops.

Fall

After summer days have passed, fall is what’s in store next. Many people aren’t thrilled, not only because everything seems glum but also due to the dangers that the season brings.

If you’re wondering why you’re still sneezing after spring and summer, then you should blame ragweed. That’s the biggest allergy trigger in fall.

The bad news is that statistics have shown that 75% of people will have reactions to ragweed if they are allergic to spring plants.

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The same story applies in the fall as in spring. Just because ragweed doesn’t grow close to you, it can still travel for hundreds of miles. If you are allergic to ragweed, you should also worry about fruit and vegetables such as bananas and zucchini since these also cause symptoms.

The other trigger is dust mites. These are more common in summer but can form the first time you turn on your heater in fall and can trigger sneezing and a runny nose. The symptoms for fall allergies are the same as for spring.

SOME OF THE PLANTS THAT TRIGGER FALL ALLERGIES ARE:

Cocklebur

Burning bush

Pigweed

Tumbleweed and Russian thistle

Lamb's-quarters

Sagebrush and mugwort

Preventing Fall Allergies

Before going outside, check the level of pollen activity--if high, avoid going outside. If you have no other choice but to go out, then you should wear protective clothing. That means wearing long sleeves, pants, and a hat.

After you’ve returned home, you should take a shower. Make sure to clean your skin and hair thoroughly.

Don’t leave your clothes outside to dry. Pollen is attracted to laundry, which will end up on you and inside your house. Get a dehumidifier. Not only does it help with breathing, but it also helps if you are sensitive to dust or mold.

How do you treat fall allergies?

Decongestants dry up the mucus in your nose. Steroid nasal spray reduces the inflammation in your nose, and you can use allergy shots or oral tablets.

Summer

Summer should be the most fun time of the year. That’s when people are outdoors and try to have as much fun as possible. Why not? After all, the weather calls for it and much more.

For some people, summer is the worst time of the year. Why?

If you thought that allergies in fall or spring were bad, then you’ll be surprised to know that pollen, mold and, insect stings are common allergy culprits during summer. The other culprits can also be apples, celery, and melons.

Although a runny nose and red eyes are common symptoms of summer allergies, don’t be surprised if your whole face looks like you went a couple of rounds with a heavy-weight boxer.

Doctors have advised people who suffer from the symptoms for longer than two weeks to visit an allergist for testing and treatment.

The preventing measure that you’d do in spring and fall would also apply to summer. The same also applies to treatment. Another thing that you can do is use lotion and creams to treat skin reactions. Some allergies result in rashes and itchiness. You can also use calamine lotion to reduce itchiness.

One of the things that can make your symptoms worse in summer is air pollution. Ozone at ground level is the most common. It’s created from a combination of car exhaust chemicals and sunlight. The winds and sunlight in summer create clouds of ozone.

Stay Safe

Now that you’re aware of allergies to watch out for in the respective seasons, you need to take the necessary measures to ensure that you don’t catch any allergies.

We have mentioned the trees, grasses, and weeds that produce pollen and have said that it can also travel for hundreds of miles.

You can take several steps to prevent catching allergies. However, if you are still struggling, we have also listed medications and other treatment options.

Remember that just because the weather is warm, it doesn’t mean that you can’t have a runny nose or sneeze. Summer seems to be the season that has the highest impact on people who are allergic.

Make sure that you are safe by staying indoors during high pollen activity or wear protective gear if you must go outside. Also, don’t forget your medication.

Seasonal allergies affect many people but there are several things you can do to avoid it or remedy it.

About Allergy FYI

Millions of people suffer from all kinds of allergies. Sometimes we don’t even know we have them. Unfortunately, there isn’t any cure for allergies, but there are plenty of ways to manage them so we can enjoy life. That’s why Allergy FYI’s here to help. Learn More >